Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) continues its legacy of success at the British Photography Awards as two of its recent graduates took home awards in the 2024 ceremony.
Both graduating in 2024, Madoka Takei (MA Photography) won in the Fine Art category, while Ethan Parker (BA (Hons) Commercial Photography) earned the People’s Choice Street Photography Award.
Madoka explains the inspiration behind her winning image:
“This work is a recreation of the painting The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer, which I added a modern twist to – displaying the need for continuous social energy in this society. Art, especially paintings, are always one of the inspirations for my works.
“My first idea was to recreate one of the traditional Japanese ukiyo-e, which is my own culture. Since I moved to Europe, I thought I would challenge both European paintings and Japanese paintings so that I can show the differences.”
Her second nomination in the Fine Art category in as many years, Madoka says, “As a photographer just starting out, being nominated was already an incredible honour, but winning the main prize feels almost surreal.”
“Madoka was our first international student from Japan, and from day one, she infused the course with a unique cultural and artistic perspective,” comments Professor Paul Wenham-Clarke, Course Leader for MA Photography at AUB.
“She always strived to be different and her modern interpretations of classic art reimagined through a contemporary lens has been inspiring. With her obvious talent and vision, I am confident that Madoka will go far.”
Ethan won the People’s Choice Street Photography Award for his image The Euros, “shot during the excitement of the Euros Final build-up in central London,” as the photographer explains.
“It can be hard to pinpoint where my inspiration comes from as it comes from all over, and even harder to pinpoint where the inspiration came for a specific candid photo that I shot on the street,” Ethan says. “I think the main elements that inspired me to click the shutter in that moment were the number of layers, mix of emotions and energy all within one frame: the energetic lad, the bored girl, the police and the waving flag.
“With street photography often relying much on good timing, a great subject, luck and a lot of trial and error, when all the elements come together in a singular image it can feel quite special.
“It feels great to have been awarded the street photography award, but even more special that the image has been able to resonate with the public.”
Ethan was also a finalist in three other categories – Best Street Photographer, Best Documentary Photographer, and Best Events Photographer. Meanwhile, The Euros was also named a finalist in the Independent Photographer Awards.
“The staff and students from AUB’s BA (Hons) Commercial Photography course take great pleasure in Ethan’s success,” says Course Leader Conrad Tracy. “Winning the ‘People’s Choice’ category of the British Photography Awards is a great achievement for a newly graduated student and evidences Ethan’s skills, creativity, and maturity as a photographer.
“During the course, Ethan has been continually driven by cultural and political events, refining his approach within both documentary photography and video, ultimately giving a voice to those that become his subjects. The world needs good visual communicators and we look forward to watching him blossom as a storyteller.”
These latest victories continue a run of wins at the British Photography Awards that started last year, when two BA (Hons) Commercial Photography students made the shortlists.
April Ironside won in the Portrait Photography category, while Emily Hazlerigg was a finalist in Fashion Photography.
The 2024 winners of the British Photography Awards were announced at a gala event taking place on Monday 4 November.
